Great Blue Heron Portrait at Ding Darling

[Dennis Zaebst]

This is the same heron which did all the "dancing" for me (posted in the last few days). After he did his flailing about, he flew off about 50 yards, then settled down and did what GBH's are supposed to do: wait silently without moving and let the fish swim in close to him.

I realize this is a somewhat static portrait, but I liked it because it does seem to have nice light - taken about 9:00 AM.

Canon 1D Mark IV, ISO 800
500 mm f/4L IS
1/4000 sec. @ f/8.0

PP in LR 4.3, nearly full frame, cropped for composition, a bit of local sharpening on the bird and NR on BG. Clarity adjustment of about 50%.

Thanks for any thoughts and C/C always appreciated. Thanks for viewing.

[gail bisson]

Hi Dennis,
A good, solid image.
Nice and sharp and I like the ripples in the water.
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dennis, we have a lot of herons in our parts, and yes, Im amazed how still they can be, whilst waiting for their next meal. Good detail on the big fellow, sharp, and I feel this needs a touch of CCW rotation.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice image, Dennis. Love the parallel pose and the soft light.

[Robert Holguin]

Great shot.
Very nice pose and light.
Great comp and great IQ.
Well done.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments. Very much appreciated.